My Love Language is Languages
As the Upper Valley is my home, I often forget its brilliance. I can hike the Appalachian Trail, attend a world-class lecture, then row on the Connecticut River under the tapestry of fall foliage, all before dinner. Although we are a rural collection of historic New England towns, we are a culturally and linguistically vibrant landscape. As Dartmouth College, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and ever-expanding businesses draw people to our seemingly homogeneous community, we get the privilege of hearing more varied language from our neighbors.
A loanword is a linguistic term for an unaltered word adopted from one language into another (ex: ballet, karaoke, kindergarten). Uncovering their cultural origins can expand our appreciation of their meaning. An important linguistic theory called the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis states that our language limits our perceptions of possibilities. By learning words from other languages, our understanding of the world expands.
I’ve asked fellow Upper Valleyites with non-English native tongues to share words they love. I am spreading that love here:
Katunyu (Thai): The sought after trait or act of taking care of people who have helped you, once you’ve grown and established your own life.
Mensch (Yiddish): A noble person of integrity; someone humble and generous with a strong moral compass, who is a pillar of the community.
Apapachar (Nahuatl): an affectionate, comforting hug; an embrace with the soul. Apapachar originates from “patzoa,” meaning kneading or massage.
Takatuf (Arabic): standing shoulder to shoulder. Emphasizes cooperation, group support, and belonging in the broader community.
Joie de vivre (French): lightness, playfulness, an exuberant enjoyment of life, and a delight in simply being alive. The literal translation is “the joy of living,” but French usage extends beyond that.
Gościnność (Polish): warmth, generosity, abundant hospitality, selfless concern for guests’ well-being, and a commitment to making them feel secure and at home.
We can build bridges here, not just with timber trusses, but with language inquiry and deep listening, to create stronger connections across gaps. When you marvel at the vivid colors of Upper Valley foliage, also remember to appreciate the vivid words of those who live here.